Established in September 2000, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation seeks to advance environmental conservation and scientific research around the world and improve the quality of life in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The Foundation is devoted to the inspirational vision articulated by our founders: “creating positive outcomes for future generations.” This vision guides our mission: “to achieve significant, lasting and measurable results inenvironmental conservation, science and theSan Francisco Bay Area.” A set of core values—impact, integrity, disciplined approach, and collaboration—directs our work.  

The Foundation carries out its work through the following frameworks: 

Initiatives.  Initiatives are built around well-developed strategies for concentrated investments, focused on the long-term and achieving significant impact. Initiatives are characterized by a portfolio approach to grantmaking, and other engagements of the Foundation, to pursue ambitious, large-scale outcomes.  Initiatives constitute about 80% of the Foundation’s grantmaking.  

Standalones.  The Foundation devotes about 20% of its grantmaking to experimentation, focused innovation, and agile response to time-sensitive, high-impact opportunities in its three areas of focus.     

Across all initiatives and standalone grants, the Foundation’s grantees and partners seek to make positive changes in the world.

The Foundation’s headquarters are in Palo Alto, in a building renovated with an emphasis on the environment and sustainability.

Please note that the Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. Instead, we fund Foundation-generated initiatives and standalone grants within our areas of focus.